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Minister Jim O’Callaghan welcomes the appointment of Helen Martin as the first Director of Criminal Justice International Cooperation
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Helen Martin has been appointed by Government as Director of the new Office of Criminal Justice International Cooperation.
The Office is being established in Ireland to streamline cross-border cooperation in the area of criminal digital evidence, making it easier for law enforcement in EU Member States to obtain and share electronic evidence as part of a criminal investigation.
This new office was provided for in the Criminal Justice (International Cooperation on Electronic Evidence and Other Matters) Act 2026 which was signed into law by the President on 15 July 2026.
This legislation enables functions under both the e-Evidence Regulation and the e-Evidence Directive, which are collectively known as the e-Evidence Package.
Welcoming the appointment, Minister O’Callaghan said:
“In this newly established role, Helen Martin will lead the effective implementation of the EU e-Evidence Package in Ireland, building a strong, strategic regulatory function to meet the needs of today’s technology and criminal justice sectors.
“This office and its work will enhance Ireland’s reputation as a hub for digital regulation and ensure effective and timely access to digital evidence in tackling serious crime.
“Implementation of the e-Evidence package has significant implications for Ireland, as many large tech organisations headquartered in Ireland will be subject to the new system for processing evidence requests to support criminal investigations and prosecutions.
“Helen’s experience and knowledge from a public service, regulatory and legal perspective will be invaluable, particularly in providing the necessary leadership and expertise as this new office navigates a new legal and regulatory framework.
“I wish Helen well in her new role and look forward to working with her and supporting her team as a new aegis body under the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration”.
The Office of the Director of Criminal Justice International Cooperation is designated as the competent authority for a number of roles under the e-Evidence Package.
The Office will receive and assess notifications under the e-Evidence Regulation, and enforce European Production Orders and European Preservation Orders on behalf of another Member State, in accordance with Article 16 of the Regulation.
A large number of technology and information communications service providers with operations and headquarters in the State will participate in this system, and it is estimated that the number of production orders issued to those service providers will be in the hundreds of thousands annually.
The establishment of this function is a deliverable under Ireland’s new National Digital and AI Strategy - Digital Ireland, which aims to strengthen Ireland’s position as an EU Centre of Excellence and digital regulatory hub, ensuring a modern, cohesive and well-resourced digital regulatory framework.
ENDS…//
Notes to editors
The EU e-Evidence Package sets out a cross-border framework for accessing electronic evidence held by service providers, by allowing authorities in one EU Member State to issue an order to produce electronic evidence directly to a service provider based in another EU Member State during specific criminal investigations in the EU.
Overall, the e-Evidence Package makes it easier for law enforcement and judicial authorities to obtain the evidence they need to investigate and prosecute criminals.
The package includes Regulation (EU) 2023/1543 on European Production Orders and European Preservation Orders for electronic evidence in criminal proceedings, and for the execution of custodial sentences following criminal proceedings.
It also includes Directive (EU) 2023/1544 laying down harmonised rules on the designation of designated establishments and the appointment of legal representatives for the purpose of gathering electronic evidence in criminal proceedings.
The e-Evidence Regulation comes into effect across the EU on the 18 August 2026.
Helen Martin
Helen is a member of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) where she oversees its Data and Digital Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Legal Consumer and Corporate Divisions. She also provides strategic direction, governance and oversight at organisational level.
Prior to this role, she was Chief Executive of the Charites Regulatory Authority from 2019 to 2024, responsible for regulation of over 11,500 registered charities and 76,000 charity trustees.
Helen holds a Barrister at Law degree from the King’s Inn, a Bachelor of Civil Law from UCD and a range of qualifications in the areas of regulatory and enforcement law, judicial skills and decision-making, leadership and corporate governance.
She is a member of the National Disability Authority’s Audit and Risk Committee, a member of the Law Society of Ireland (non-practicing) and an Alumni member of the Association of Chief Executives of State Agencies. She was previously a member of the State’s Data Governance Board and of the QQI Expert Group on new qualifications and quality assurance regulations relating to education and training providers.
Helen Martin was appointed to this role following a Top Level Appointments Committee selection process through the Public Appointments Service.
